I'm really torn on this issue. On the one hand, sexual harassment and assault is still a big problem on college campuses, and more needs to be done to try to curb that (I don't know what exactly). So, I can see the impetus to push through new, stricter legislation.

On the other hand, the definitions used here are so broad and open to interpretation that it could easily lead to people getting accused wrongly and having this impact their lives and careers in serious ways. I know a couple years ago, a male colleague of mine got in trouble because a female student accused him of staring at her cleavage during lectures and reported that it made her extremely uncomfortable. He ended up not getting in serious trouble, but had to go to multiple meetings with the student and various deans to get the matter sorted out and had to issue a formal apology to her. This was a smaller class with maybe 20 students, but still how in the world could you be sure that the professor was staring at YOUR cleavage during lecture?

KennyTheKangaroo wrote:this is probably one of those discussions that really doesnt belong on a message board that is mostly populated by men.

theres certainly two sides to this subject and frankly there is a long ways to go before men starting treating women, particularly younger women, properly.

the topics of gender abuse, sexual harassment, etc etc are most certainly pertinent on a male-centric message board. These issues should be men's issues, but people love to push them on women--the victims in a lot of these situations, and thats not acceptable.

•Any expression related to sexual topics that offends any person. This leaves a wide range of expressive activity—a campus performance of "The Vagina Monologues," a presentation on safe sex practices, a debate about sexual morality, a discussion of gay marriage, or a classroom lecture on Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita—subject to discipline.

•Any sexually themed joke overheard by any person who finds that joke offensive for any reason.

•Any request for dates or any flirtation that is not welcomed by the recipient of such a request or flirtation.

KennyTheKangaroo wrote:this is probably one of those discussions that really doesnt belong on a message board that is mostly populated by men.

theres certainly two sides to this subject and frankly there is a long ways to go before men starting treating women, particularly younger women, properly.

the topics of gender abuse, sexual harassment, etc etc are most certainly pertinent on a male-centric message board. These issues should be men's issues, but people love to push them on women--the victims in a lot of these situations, and thats not acceptable.

agreed, it was probably the wrong choice of words. what kenny the kangaroo was trying to convey was something similar to the "naggers" episode of south park. a bunch of hockey loving suburbia bros dont exactly have the best insights on sexual harassment and probably dont "get it."

that being said, kenny the kangaroo would imagine that most, if not all, guys at some point legitimately do or say something that could definitely be considered sexual harassment whether they want to admit to it or not. and by sexual harassment, legit, demeaning sexual harassment, not this loosey goosey definition from this website.

This attempted policy change is absolutely appalling, and it patently violates years of precedent on the First Amendment, including precedent straight from the Supreme Court. What makes this even worse is that on many college campuses, persons accused of “harassment” or other similar behaviors are often subject to minimal due process. For example, it’s not uncommon for an accused to be immediately suspended and kicked off campus based only on an accusation; neither is it uncommon for the accused to be denied the right to be represented by legal counsel. Hearings often take place in front of administrators who have strong biases (like the schools “Diversity Coordinator” or some similar job title), and in many cases the burden of proof for the accuser is so low that the accused is essentially guilty until proven innocent.

The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) is closely following this story, and there are plenty of articles and videos on this topic at their blog The Torch: http://thefire.org/torch/

Also, if you want to learn more about some the outrageous crap that’s happening on college campuses these days, I highly recommend the book Unlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate, by FIRE’s president Greg Lukianoff. It covers a bunch of the cases that FIRE has undertaken over the years. I found the book to be both gripping and at points horrifying. This stuff is not a joke. People’s lives and educations are being ruined in the name of political correctness gone overboard.

Last edited by Shyster on Thu May 16, 2013 6:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.

KennyTheKangaroo wrote:this is probably one of those discussions that really doesnt belong on a message board that is mostly populated by men.

theres certainly two sides to this subject and frankly there is a long ways to go before men starting treating women, particularly younger women, properly.

the topics of gender abuse, sexual harassment, etc etc are most certainly pertinent on a male-centric message board. These issues should be men's issues, but people love to push them on women--the victims in a lot of these situations, and thats not acceptable.

agreed, it was probably the wrong choice of words. what kenny the kangaroo was trying to convey was something similar to the "naggers" episode of south park. a bunch of hockey loving suburbia bros dont exactly have the best insights on sexual harassment and probably dont "get it."

that being said, kenny the kangaroo would imagine that most, if not all, guys at some point legitimately do or say something that could definitely be considered sexual harassment whether they want to admit to it or not. and by sexual harassment, legit, demeaning sexual harassment, not this loosey goosey definition from this website.

I would like to point out that everyone, regardless of gender, has at some point engaged in something that could be considered sexual harassment.

KennyTheKangaroo wrote:this is probably one of those discussions that really doesnt belong on a message board that is mostly populated by men.

theres certainly two sides to this subject and frankly there is a long ways to go before men starting treating women, particularly younger women, properly.

the topics of gender abuse, sexual harassment, etc etc are most certainly pertinent on a male-centric message board. These issues should be men's issues, but people love to push them on women--the victims in a lot of these situations, and thats not acceptable.

agreed, it was probably the wrong choice of words. what kenny the kangaroo was trying to convey was something similar to the "naggers" episode of south park. a bunch of hockey loving suburbia bros dont exactly have the best insights on sexual harassment and probably dont "get it."

that being said, kenny the kangaroo would imagine that most, if not all, guys at some point legitimately do or say something that could definitely be considered sexual harassment whether they want to admit to it or not. and by sexual harassment, legit, demeaning sexual harassment, not this loosey goosey definition from this website.

I would like to point out that everyone, regardless of gender, has at some point engaged in something that could be considered sexual harassment.

That's pretty subjective tho. LIke saying everyone has at some point engaged in something "that could be considered" physically assaulting someone. Hugging someone or shaking hands "could be considered" assault depending on what kind of nut job your talkin to. Pointing the moves on your gf/wife "could be considered" sexual harrassment, but 99.9% of the time its not.